PM WELCOMES PRESIDENT TRUMP’S 21-POINT PLAN TO END WAR IN GAZA In partnership with
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Tuesday, 30 September, 2025 | 6 Rabius Sani, 1447
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PM DEFENDS TRUMP’S NOBEL PRIZE NOMINATION, CREDITS HIM FOR SAVING THE REGION FROM DESTRUCTION
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TERMS VISIT TO WASHINGTON ‘VERY FRUITFUL, VERY SUCCESSFUL’
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ISLAMABAD
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SAYS COUNTRY’S ECONOMY HAS STABILISED ON A MACRO LEVEL BUT CLIMATE CHANGE IS TAKING ITS TOLL
BLAMES INDIA FOR WEAPONIZING INDUS WATERS TREATY AGAINST PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN
Staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday welcomed the 21-point plan of United States President Donald Trump to ensure an end to the war in Gaza. In a post on social media site X, the premier said, “I am convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region.” “It is also my firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary to make this extremely important and urgent understanding to become a reality,” he said, adding, “I laud President Trump’s leadership and the vital role played by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in bringing an end to this war.” He further said, “I also strongly believe that the implementation of the twostate proposal is essential to ensure lasting peace in the region.” Earlier in the day the Prime Minister had told the media that the recent meeting between President Trump and the leaders of eight Arab-Islamic countries in New York was encouraging and he was confident that it would bring a positive outcome for Gaza ceasefire. PM defends Trump’s Nobel Prize nomination
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Separately, the Prime Minister said his government nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize because “Trump helped save the region from destruction” during a period of Pakistan-India escalation. The Pakistani government in June had decided to formally recommend US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” to end the India-Pakistan escalation in May. The conflict began after New Delhi, without evidence, blamed Is-
lamabad for the April 22 Pehalgam attack in occupied Kashmir, launched airstrikes in Pakistan, and faced retaliation. Amid easing tensions following a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, President Donald Trump claimed that US intervention prevented a “bad nuclear war” between the two nations. Responding to a reporter’s question about Pakistan nominating Trump for the Nobel Prize during a press conference in London on Monday, the PM said, “Mr. Trump eased tension between Pakistan and India and has saved the region from
major destruction.” He emphasized that if Trump had not intervened in the Pakistan-India escalation, “there would be more destruction and loss of lives.” The premier added that Trump has eased tension between Ethiopia and Egypt, and even in Ukraine.” ‘Washington visit very fruitful’ Speaking about his recent meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, PM Shehbaz said that his visit to Washington “was very fruitful; it was very successful.” He said the best thing that happened was that in the UN building, President Trump co-chaired a meeting on Gaza, and he invited Pakistan, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia. “There, a very constructive discussion took place, and as a result of that meeting, very soon, a positive result may come that in the Gaza war, there may be a ceasefire,” he said. “Since 2023 in Gaza, the market of oppression and tyranny has been heated, and innocent Muslims are being martyred, including children, mothers, sisters, and youngsters. I believe that this much cruelty and intensity has rarely been witnessed in modern times, and for that, alhamdulillah, we have raised a strong voice at the UN and expressed complete solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”
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Trump pushes Netanyahu to accept Gaza peace plan in White House meeting WASHINGTON afp
Several countries seek defense pact with Pakistan after Saudi deal: Ishaq Dar LONDON
Staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that several countries are interested in entering into defense agreements with Pakistan following its recent accord with Saudi Arabia. Speaking to the media outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, Dar stated that Pakistan had proven its defensive capabilities during the recent “Battle of Truth,” and now the nation’s focus should shift toward becoming an economic power. He emphasized that the defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was mutually beneficial, adding that no country had raised objections to it. Instead, he said, multiple nations had expressed their willingness to pursue similar agreements with Pakistan. It is noteworthy that on September 17, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark defense agreement in Riyadh. Under the pact, any aggression against one country will be considered aggression against both.
US President Donald Trump was upbeat about the chances of a Gaza deal Monday as he hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to push the Israeli prime minister to accept his peace plan. “I am, I’m very confident,” Trump told reporters as he greeted Netanyahu when asked if he was confident there would be peace in Gaza. He repeated “very confident” when asked if all parties were on board with the 21-point plan to end the nearly two-year war, free hostages held by Hamas and disarm the Palestinian militants. The US president met key Arab leaders at the United Nations last week and said Sunday on social media that “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER.” But Netanyahu has given little reason for optimism, vowing in a defiant UN speech Friday to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejecting Palestinian statehood — recently recognized by several Western nations. The White House announced that the pair are scheduled to hold a joint news conference at 1:15 pm (1715 GMT), in an apparent indication that Trump is hoping to an-
nounce a breakthrough. “To reach a good deal, a reasonable deal for both sides, both sides have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday. Hamas has not yet given a reaction to the plan. ‘Stand firm’ Trump’s plan, according to The Times of Israel and US news site Axios, calls for an immediate ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal and the release of hostages within 48 hours. Israel would then free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms. Normally a staunch ally of Ne-
tanyahu, the US president has shown increasing signs of frustration ahead of the Israeli premier’s fourth White House visit since Trump’s return to power. Trump was infuriated by Israel’s recent strike on Hamas members in key US ally Qatar. And he warned Netanyahu last week against annexing the Israelioccupied West Bank, as some of Netanyahu’s cabinet members have urged, a move that would seriously complicate the route to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s coalition government is propped up by the far-right ministers who oppose a peace deal. The path to a deal remains strewn with pitfalls.
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Maryam threatens ‘consequences’ for statements made against Punjab by Sindh leaders
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
LAHORE
Staff CorreSpondent
A war of words between the Sindh and Punjab governments intensified after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz warned of dire consequences over Sindh leaders’ remarks about Punjab, saying that while she remains open to personal criticism, she will not spare those who speak against the province with malicious intent. Speaking at the launch ceremony of electric buses in Faisalabad on Monday, Maryam declared: “If criticism is directed at me, I will say nothing. But if anyone talks against Punjab, its development, or its rights, Maryam Nawaz will not spare them.” She credited senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders for their loyalty to her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during difficult times. Citing Rana Sanaullah, she recalled his words: “If I stood 100 per cent with Nawaz Sharif before, today I stand 1,000 per cent with him.” The chief minister noted that her pictures often receive wide publicity, which critics use against her. “When you work, your pictures will be everywhere. If I am criticised, I will stay quiet. But if you speak against Punjab’s progress and rights, I will personally respond,” she warned. The CM stated that serving Punjab’s people was both a divine trust and a responsibility given by the public. “The people treat me with love and kindness. Even if I shed the last drop of my blood for their rights, it will not be enough,” she said. Addressing recent objections about Punjab’s use of water resources, Maryam said Punjab only consumes its fair share. “Punjab does not steal water. My water and my resources are my right—why should that bother anyone? If work is done in Sindh, I will be happy. But don’t give us advice; keep it to yourself,” she asserted. Highlighting her government’s initiatives, she announced the induction of 150 electric buses for public transport in Punjab. Faisalabad will receive 90 buses, Jhang 30, while Chiniot and Toba Tek Singh will each receive 15. She noted that this marks the first-ever public transport system for Faisalabad. BISP’s role in flood victim support sparks fresh war of words The PPP and the PML-N renewed their verbal spat over the use of the Benazir Income Support Programme for providing support to the flood-affected people in Punjab. The PPP has long been advocating the proposal that the BISP would be most suitable way to support the flood victims, however, the Punjab government, led by the PML-N, is averse to the idea. The provincial government insists that the government’s flood relief efforts were going on well. The BISP is a national programme to provide cash assistance to poor and vulnerable families, particularly targeting women. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari warned that it would be “irresponsible to not utilise” the BISP — the “most effective way” — to distribute aid. Her comments came a day after Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari revealed that the provincial government would issue “relief cards” to the flood victims in their personal names from its own resources instead of using the BISP to assist them. Aseefa wrote on X that recent unprecedented floods in Punjab impacted more than 4 million people, stressing that the BISP would be the most effective and fastest way for the distribution of aid. “The Benazir Income Support Programme is the fastest and most effective way to distribute relief. Not utilizing one of the state’s key organizations, which has both the data and the capacity to deliver assistance, would be irresponsible,” she posted. However, Bokhari strongly criticised the PPP dragging the BISP into the floods. “No one wants to abolish the BISP. The question is: why do you want to use it during floods?” Bukhari asked “Dragging it repeatedly into flood politics is exactly what we call politicisation,” she remarked.
SC suspends IHC verdict restraining Justice Jahangiri from judicial work ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order restraining Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from judicial work. The apex court issued notices to relevant parties, including the office of the attorney general of Pakistan, and adjourned the case hearing till Tuesday. The decision was announced by a fivemember constitutional bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, on an appeal filed by Justice Jahangiri challenging the IHC’s September 16 order. Other members of the bench included Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan. The development comes after a twomember bench of the IHC, led by Chief Justice (CJ) Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, restrained Justice Jahangiri from performing judicial duties until the Supreme Ju-
dicial Council’s (SJC) decision on a petition pending against him. The petition was filed by lawyer Mian Dawood. Following the verdict, five IHC judges, including Justice Jahangiri, separately approached the SC against the divisional bench’s order. The other four judges were Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Saman Rifat, and Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan. The case centers on a controversy regarding Justice Jahangiri’s LLB degree, which was cancelled last week by the University of Karachi. According to the university’s notification dated September 25, the university syndicate, in its meeting on August 31, 2024, approved “Resolution No 06” in compliance with the competent authority’s decision, upholding the recommendation of the Unfair Means Committee (UFM). The notification stated, “Justice Jahangiri was found guilty of using unfair means and has been barred for three years from admission to any university or college, as well as from appearing in any university
examination.” Furthermore, the University of Karachi clarified that Justice Jahangiri had never been enrolled as a student at Islamia Law College, Karachi, in 1989. Earlier, the Sindh High Court (SHC) had suspended both the University of Karachi’s Unfair Means Committee decision and the syndicate’s declaration invalidating the judge’s degree. The petitioner had challenged the UFM committee’s decision to cancel Justice Jahangiri’s degree on August 17, 2024. Since then, the SHC has also dismissed similar petitions concerning the judge’s degree on grounds of non-prosecution, despite objections raised by the defense counsel. The counsel in the case questioned the legality of the bench’s decision to assign the hearing to itself from another constitutional bench, which had originally scheduled the petitions for hearing on September 30. In protest, the lawyers boycotted the proceedings after the bench refused to recuse itself. The bench stated that both judges agreed there were no valid grounds for recusal,
adding that any issues regarding maintainability must be addressed first. The SHC bench also turned down the petitioners’ lawyer’s claim that these cases
should be handled by a regular SHC bench, saying that the constitutional bench was the right place to address the type of help being requested.